Entering the “Hunger Games” or How to Claim Victory in Gaining Your First Higher Education Job

As an individual nears completion of the dissertation, s/he is so elated with joy and relief that s/he was able to stay the course and complete the process. Then the question arises, “What’s next?” There are many decisions to be made, as well as the race to find a job that will be a good fit for the beginning of your career. The realization soon becomes apparent that there are many factors in this process that might not have been explicitly taught during graduate school. With the clock ticking, the race is on to secure a position, but dilemmas and decisions abound. Should you pursue interviews while ABD (and perhaps take time away from writing) or wait until the defense is complete to begin the job search in earnest with your terminal degree in hand? In this humorous comparison to the popular book/movie series, take the journey of three women as they moved through the “Hunger Games” from ABD life through that first year in a best fit position. The trio will round out the presentation by sharing their success stories of landing jobs and continuously seeking balance for vitality in one’s career path and life